Classic car identification

April 8, 2015 1:15 PM

Two-seater low-slung convertible, sounded like a significant engine, spare tyre mounted on the back, big headlights at the front. What was it?

It might have been a Morgan Plus 4 but I'm not convinced. I saw it while driving and never got a really close look. Any classic car enthusiasts like to weigh in?

posted by StephenF to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (6 answers total)

Response by poster: Seen today in Dublin, Ireland, I meant to add, and with British plates.
posted by StephenF at 1:16 PM on April 8, 2015

Lotus Seven, or any of its various descendants and derivatives?
posted by channaher at 1:26 PM on April 8, 2015 [1 favorite]

Sounds like a Morgan; there is also the +8 which is a little wider, lower, and carries a larger engine than the +4.

MG TDs and TFs also fit your description, though they have less of a "low-slung" look than a Morgan. Also they have a square-topped grille, whereas a Morgan has a rounded-topped grille.
posted by gyusan at 1:44 PM on April 8, 2015 [4 favorites]

It's probably not a classic, just built to look that way. It's almost certainly some flavor of Morgan but another guess would be a kit car, I've seen some in that style before.
posted by VTX at 2:41 PM on April 8, 2015

Response by poster: Thanks all. Definitely not the Lotus 7, was much heavier-looking. You're almost certainly right it was a Morgan, maybe an older Plus 8.
posted by StephenF at 2:50 PM on April 8, 2015

It could have been a Panther, either the (common) Lima, (older) J.72, or the ridiculous Bugatti-clone De Ville.

But most likely to have been a Morgan.
posted by scruss at 3:21 PM on April 8, 2015